1.  Yes.  I'm not certain what you mean by "real life retribution" though.  Do you mean that I may actually encounter some nut like Jack on the street some day and he may recognize my lefty lunacy and stick a knife in me to protect his own secret identity?  If that's the scenario, yes, I do feel safe! (kidding Jack)

2.  Hmmm, I think you want one political point, but I would just like to see each side of the argument spend more time supporting their point, and actually thinking about the other sides argument.  If I wanted to hear Hannity or O'Reilly regurgitated to me I would suffer through their shows each day.  (I do listen sometimes, they're often funny in a "out of their mind" sort of way)

Too often one side just tells the other their point is idiotic.  I think half the conservatives ideas are idiotic, but I understand them.  As long as they are presented rationally I can usually see why they're making that point and why they may be right.

3.  My one point, I suppose, would be that social programs aren't as evil as some Republicans portray them to be.  Welfare, health care for the poor, etc...aren't just gov't handouts.  They are programs that a lot of people recognize as being necessary because of systemic problems that have evolved over many years in the US.  Poor people aren't just lazy.  They may be stupid, but because of poor school systems that's not really their fault either.  I have friends in Long Island who always say they were poor and they made it, so why can't minorities?  I loathe that argument.  I'm not going to go into a long rant about it, but I do feel fine with paying my taxes to fund these programs.  I make a good living, and make far more money than I deserve.  If some poor people need healthcare because the economy and schools that our gov't support short-changed them, then they can have the surplus.  

4.  I guess it's hard to separate what opinion you get from reading, talking, watching TV, etc...I don't really apply what I do to my posting.  At times I suppose, but not often.  In the end, I assess what I hear and form my own opinion.

The #1 thing I'd like to get everyone to believe is that we will all learn a lot more and enjoy this experience more if we all stop with the name calling and the character attacks.

When it comes to  issue like abortion, gay marriage, prayer in schoolIt, it is virtually impossible to change someone's mind.  These views are based on very deep and closely held beliefs.  The only way someone changes on those issues is if they have personal involvement with one of these issues.  Either contiuously or repeatedly over a  substantive period of time.  

Even if we all accept that we're not going to change someone's mind, I like making the argument for my side because it exercises my mind and will help to keep it from atrophying in my later years.


-- Modified on 10/16/2007 5:39:34 PM